About This:
With spoken word, singing, and a full gospel band finale, Dark Angels weaves the poetry of Susan Griffin and Isaiah together in an exploration of the transformation of suffering into a fullness of life that no death can destroy. Ellen Oak composed the four movements as a suite, with music and choreography, and has performed the piece with a dance company of nine women all over the country. For a video of the dance, and a copy of the study guide, please email ellenoak@wisdomatplay.com. The movements are: 1. The suite opens with the subdued, haunting spoken words of Susan Griffin's poetry, searching for the way in, to, as Carol Gilligan put it, "experience our experience." 2. The text of this movement is from Griffin's brilliant book, "Woman and Nature: the Roaring Inside Her." Oak performs both voices in the dialogue, over a mult-layered synth obligato. 3. One of Oak's finest choral works, this movement for unaccompanied women's voices proclaims the complete text of Psalm 22, "God, my God, why have you abandoned me . . ." with searing beauty. 4. A rousing, gospel style interpretation of Isaiah 61, "The Spirit of God is upon me . . . ," celebrating feminine images of self-definition, liberation, and joy.